Featured, Lists

What I Wish I Could Tell My Ex-Best Friend I Hurt

We’ve all been there. One day you have a best friend, the next… not so much. Whether it was the outcome of a scandal or a mutual breakup, it’s never easy going from being inseparable to looking the other way when you pass each other on campus. I, unfortunately, had a falling out with my ex-best friend due to a string of horrible things I did. We don’t talk anymore, at all, except for the occasional “do you have my shirt?” text or an awkward “hi” when we’re forced to be in a group setting together. But even though we’re no longer friends, there are a few things I wish she knew. So, Ex-Best Friend, this one’s for you.   17. I don’t hate you. 16. I’m sorry I made you responsible for a lot of my secrets, and I also promise to keep all yours safe. 15. I genuinely hope you’re happy. 14. It’s

Featured, Stories

An Open Letter To The Negative People

To the Negative Nancys and the Danny Downers, Please stop. Everyone has bad days and while that’s more than okay, it reaches a point where we are getting tired of the constant sighs and overall aggravation. It’ll be okay. Negativity can be addictive but you need to break the habit.  You are in charge of your own reality, your own situation, and how you live.  Please stop putting those responsibilities, your responsibilities, on the people around you.  It is time to grow up and notice that you are completely in charge of your own happiness.  Everyone has their own things going on so it would be great if you could at least try to put a smile on your face and keep moving.  You are so much more than your negativity.  Embrace even the littlest things that make you happy. Yes, it is so easy to give in to what

Featured, Stories

An Open Letter To The Tall Girls

Dear fellow tall girls, Go ahead and buy those heels! I spent years trying to figure out how to make myself look shorter only to end up still being the tallest among all my friends.  Couple that fact with having to spend years teaching myself to sit up straight again and passing up so many different opportunities because of my insecurity, I now realize it was never really worth it. My mother is tall.  My father is tall.  My siblings are tall.  I am tall.  I am learning to embrace it. I still appreciate those moments when I can stand next to a girl who is taller than me but I will no longer hunch forward when I am with a group of friends who aren’t.  I have learned to love that I will never have to go to a tailor and ask them to fix the fact that my clothing

Stories

An Open Letter To My Grandparents

To My Amazing Grandparents, I just want to start of by saying thank you for all of the love you have shown me.  Neither of you ever get as much praise as you should; as you deserve.  But I am here to try to make up for that gap a little bit. Thank you for being the summer save haven.  Thank you for the home cooked meals and the snacks for the airport.  Thank you for the random cards in the mail and the little trinkets you bring home from your travels abroad.  Thank you for teaching me every card game in the book and for telling me stories about my childhood. Grandma, you have taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice.  You adore your family more than I think I have ever seen anyone love anything.  You provide the perfect combination of love and structure.  You have

Stories

An Open Letter To Every Kid That Has Lost A Parent

Dear you, Yes, you.  The one whose mood gets a little darker when you realize it is Father’s or Mother’s Day.  The one who has to scroll past all those ‘omg I would be lost without my mom/dad’ Facebook statuses.  The one who was always missing one hugely important person at your major life experiences, like graduation or your wedding. First of all, you are so incredibly strong.  We live in a world in which the family is a crucial dynamic for functioning in society, and to live with a missing piece is a battle that is incredibly difficult to fight.  I am so proud of you for getting out of bed each day and choosing to continue on, even when it is difficult.  It is so unfair that you have to go through this, but you are doing an incredible job, and I love you very much. Allow me